Keir Starmer's Broken Promises: A Betrayal of Socialist Ideals

As socialists, we champion the principles of equality, social justice, and the empowerment of the working class. When Keir Starmer campaigned for the leadership of the Labour Party in 2020, he presented a vision that resonated with these ideals; promises to continue with Corbyn’s legacy. However, his leadership and time in No.10 has been marked by a series of broken promises that have betrayed the trust of party members.

During his leadership campaign, Starmer outlined ten pledges that signalled a commitment to socialist principles. These included:

• Economic Justice: Increasing income tax for the top 5% of earners and reversing cuts in corporation tax.

• Social Justice: Abolishing Universal Credit and ending the cruel two-child limit.

• Climate Justice: Putting the Green New Deal at the heart of policy.

• Promoting Peace and Human Rights: No illegal wars and a review of all UK arms sales.

• Common Ownership: Public ownership of rail, mail, energy, and water.

• Defend Migrants' Rights: Full voting rights for EU nationals and defending free movement.

• Strengthen Workers' Rights: Enhancing trade union rights and collective bargaining.

• Radical Devolution of Power: Federalism and devolving power to local communities.

• Equality: Enacting a prevention of misogyny act and closing pay gaps.

• Effective Opposition to the Tories: Forensic and effective opposition in Parliament.

These pledges were seen as a reaffirmation of Labour's commitment to socialist values. However, the subsequent abandonment of pretty much all of these ‘promises’ has been a profound disappointment.

One of the cornerstone pledges was to increase income tax for the top 5% of earners and reverse cuts in corporation tax. This policy aimed to address deepening economic inequality and ensure that the wealthy contributed their fair share to society.

But under Starmer's leadership, this pledge has been abandoned. The Labour Party has indicated it will not pursue these tax reforms, effectively siding with the affluent and perpetuating the status quo. This retreat not only undermines the fight against inequality but also signals a departure from the party's commitment to economic justice.

Starmer pledged to abolish Universal Credit and end the two-child limit, policies that have plunged countless families into poverty. However, he has since reneged on these commitments. The two-child limit remains in place, continuing to inflict hardship on larger families. This U-turn is a stark betrayal of vulnerable communities and contradicts the very essence of social justice.

The climate crisis demands bold and decisive action. Starmer's commitment to place the Green New Deal at the heart of Labour's policy was a beacon of hope. Yet, there has been little progress in advancing this agenda. The lack of a comprehensive and ambitious plan to tackle climate change not only jeopardises our planet's future but also forsakes the working-class communities disproportionately affected by environmental degradation.

Public ownership of essential services like rail, mail, energy, and water is fundamental to a socialist economy. It ensures that these services operate for the public good rather than private profit. Starmer's retreat from this pledge signifies an acceptance of neoliberal privatisation, undermining the collective ownership that empowers workers and ensures equitable access to essential services.

Starmer's initial commitment to defend free movement and extend voting rights to EU nationals was a progressive stance that recognised the contributions of migrants to our society. However, he has since adopted a more restrictive position, aligning with anti-immigration sentiments. This shift not only alienates migrant communities but also contradicts the socialist principle of international solidarity.

While Starmer has voiced support for workers' rights, his actions tell a different story. The Labour Party's response to strikes and industrial actions has been tepid, failing to stand unequivocally with workers fighting for fair wages and conditions. This lack of robust support weakens the labour movement and betrays the party's foundational ties to the working class.

The promise to radically devolve power to local communities has not materialised. Instead, decision-making remains centralised, limiting the ability of localities to address their unique challenges. This failure stifles grassroots democracy and perpetuates a top-down approach that is antithetical to socialist ideals.

Starmer's pledge to enact measures addressing misogyny and closing pay gaps has seen little progress. Structural inequalities persist, and the lack of decisive action signals a de-prioritisation of the fight for equality. This inaction perpetuates systemic injustices and undermines the party's commitment to creating a fair and just society.

An effective opposition challenges harmful policies and offers a clear alternative. However, under Starmer's leadership, Labour's opposition to austerity measures has been lacklustre. The party's acquiescence to cuts in public services and social benefits betrays the working class and aligns Labour with neoliberal austerity, rather than standing against it.

Starmer's leadership has been marked by a series of broken promises that betray the core values of socialism. His abandonment of commitments to economic justice, social welfare, environmental sustainability, public ownership, migrant rights, workers' empowerment, local democracy, equality, and effective opposition represents a profound shift away from the principles that should define the Labour Party.

As socialists, we have a duty to hold leaders to account and fight for policies that genuinely serve the working class and marginalised communities. Keir Starmer’s tenure has not been one of broken promises, it has been one of deliberate deception.

He never abandoned his policies; he never believed in them in the first place. He lied to win power, knowing full well he would never deliver on his so-called "pledges."

Time and again, Starmer has shown himself to be fundamentally dishonest, saying whatever is convenient at the time while selling out the very people who put their trust in him. His Labour Party is not a vehicle for real change, it is a hollow shell, pandering to the wealthy and powerful while throwing working people and the disabled under a bus.

Britain had a real chance for transformative, socialist government under Jeremy Corbyn. A leader with integrity. A leader who stood by his principles even in the face of relentless smears and attacks. Instead, we are left with a plastic socialist whose dad was a "tool maker" in Number 10, one who has betrayed the left, betrayed democracy, and betrayed the millions who once believed in Labour as a force for good.